Device for golf putting practice



w. A. BILLINGHURST 2,899,207

DEVICE FOR GOLF PUTTING PRACTICE Aug. 11, 1959 Filed Oct. 24, 1958 DEVICE FOR GOLF PUTTING PRACTICE Wilfred A. Billinghurst, Elizabeth, NJ.

Application October 24, 1958, Serial No. 769,341

2 Claims. (Cl. 273--177) This invention relates to a device for the practice of golf putting, in the home or other place. One of the objects of the invention is to provide a device of the character mentioned which acts as an elfective substitute for a golf hole.

One of the advantages of this invention is that it receives and holds a golf ball when the ball has a small momentum.

Another advantage is that it provides a visible target, representing the center of a golf hole, which is the point to aim for, and the ball is so held in the device that the player may see whether he has correctly putted for the center.

A further advantage is that the tension between two disks, forming part of the device, may be quickly adjusted without adding special adjusting means, only the otherwise essential components being used for such adjustment.

Other advantages will be appreciated by golf players.

The drawings illustrate the invention, and in these:

Figure l is a view of the device, mostly in vertical section;

Figure 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the central part of either of the disks of the device, without fastener;

Figure 4 is an elevational view of one of the two similar fasteners used;

Figure 5 is a side view of Fig. 4;

Figure 6 is a view showing the device partly broken away and also different positions of a ball; and

Figure 7 is a view of the device, with marker, and with a ball directed to the device.

In detail, the drawings show the device as comprising similar upper and lower circular disks 9. The latter are spaced part by a hollow cylinder or tube 10, and are tensionally held centrally to the ends of the tube by a helical spring 12. The centrally disposed tube represents the center of a golf hole, which the player always aims for, to avoid arcuate skirting of the hole by the ball; this tube is visible to the player so that he may direct the ball to it. If the ball is properly directed, it is held between the disks and in front of the tube, as shown by position A of Fig. 6. If, however, the ball is putted to one side of the central tube, it is held in the dotted line position B of Fig. 6, and indicating that the shot, while representing an in-the-hole position, is not a perfect or ideal shot.

Said similar disks 9 each have a horizontal peripheral margin 15, and the disks are preferably spaced apart ,5 less than the diameter of the ball, and the margins are provided so that the ball is held thereby with less tension and more surety than if they were divergent, thereby permitting the entry of a ball having a relatively small momentum, and holding it. The horizontal margins also provide a greater gripping area on a carpet or on the ground, so that the device stays in place, as this device does by actual test. Inside the peripheral margin, each disk inclines to a central depressed area 17 which fits into the tube 10, the disks thereby being held in a central position. A T-shaped fastener 18 is used to connect each disk to an end of the coiled spring 12, the spring being under proper tension to allow the ball to enter the device when moving with a low momentum. The fastener, which is flat, is shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and comprises a horizontal part 18A and a vertical part 18B. The latter part has an aperture 18C near its lower end through which to secure an end of coil 12, and this part also has a neck 18D, with shoulders 18E on each side of the neck and adjacent thereto. The depressed portion 17 of each disk has a slot 24 central thereto, and a depression 25 at right angles thereto. Part 18B of the fastener is put through slot 24 and the fastener is then turned degrees so that horizontal part 18A lies in depression 25, the shoulders 18E of the fastener then being substantially in contact with the inner surface of the disk, the fastener being thereby securely held in place. If it is desired to put more tension on the spring, it is only necessary to torsionally turn it. The outer surfaces of the mentioned margins of the disks are shown roughened, for a frictional gripping effect, and the inner surfaces likewise, or either or both surfaces may be covered with paint containing grit, the inner surface for its eifect in holding the ball.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for the practice of golf putting, comprising similar upper and lower circular disks, a hollow cylinder spacing the disks, and a helical spring disposed axially through the cylinder and attached at its ends to said disks and tensioned to hold the disks to the ends of the cylinder, the peripheral margins of the disks being horizontal when the device is on a horizontal surface, the disks being centrally depressed to fit into the ends of said tube and each inclined between the central depressed portion and the peripheral margin.

2. A device for the practice of golf putting, comprising similar upper and lower circular disks, a hollow cylinder spacing the disks, and a helical spring disposed axially through the cylinder and attached at its ends to said disks and tensioned to hold the disks to the ends of the cylinder, the peripheral margins of the disks being horizontal when the device is on a horizontal surface, the disks inclining from the peripheral margins to said cylinder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

